Big Game - A Story for Girls

"Yes. I'll help! I'll pack for her. Don't trouble about anything.

I'll see that it is all right. You'll let me help you, dear, won't

you?" Margot put up a tender hand, to straighten the cap on the poor,

dishevelled head; and something in the simple, daughterly action seemed

to reach the poor woman's heart, and bring with it the first touch of

calmness. She sat up and looked blankly from side to side.

"I--I'm sorry! I shouldna give way. I never lost a child before, you

see, and Lizzie was such a one for her mother. I wrote to her only last

night. She leaves two bairnies of her own, but they are so young.

They'll never remember her!" The pitiful trembling began again,

whereupon George Elgood's hand held out a glass of water, and Margot

took it from him to lift it to the quivering lips.

"They will need you all the more, and you must be strong for their

sakes. That's what she would wish, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes. I must take care of the children. And Fred--poor Fred! but

he hasn't loved her as I have done for nearly thirty years. Father,

when can we get back?"

"I'll see, my dearie. I'll see! Leave all to me. I'll settle it all,

and this good lassie will pack your things. Ye need trouble for

nothing, my lass,--ye need trouble for nothing."

He laid his broad hand on his wife's shoulder with a gesture infinitely

tender, then turned and went stumbling out of the room, while Margot's

eyes met the tear-drenched ones above her with a flash of enthusiasm.

"He is--splendid!"

Even at that moment Mrs Macalister showed a faint kindling of response.

"Didn't I tell ye? When a man's out of health ye canna judge. When

he's in his usual, there's no one to touch Mr Macalister."

With an instinctive movement Margot turned her head upward till her eyes

met those of George Elgood, and exchanged a flash of mutual

understanding. It heartened her like a drink of water in a thirsty

land, for underlying the pity and the kindliness she recognised

something else; something that existed for herself alone, and which

seemed to bring with it an electric thrill of happiness.

Outside in the "lobby" the Chieftain was looking up trains in his own

Bradshaw, and arranging with Mrs McNab for the long drive to the

station, while Mr Macalister was writing out a return message with

trembling fingers.

"Come upstairs with me, dear!" said Margot gently. "You shall lie on

the bed while I do the packing. It's a long journey, and you must be as

fresh as possible when you arrive. They will be waiting for you, you

know, and expecting you to comfort them. You have told me how they all

rely upon you. You wouldn't like to fail just when they need you most!"